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Sony: To Delay Release Of Skype Features For PSP In Japan1-23-08 3:02 AM EST E-mail Article Print Article
TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- Sony Corp.'s (6758.TO) game division said Wednesday it would delay the introduction of Skype features on its handheld PlayStation Portable game unit in Japan.
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Sony Computer Entertainment Japan said in a press release that microphone attachments for use with the service were not up to Skype specifications. Skype, owned by eBay Inc. (EBAY), is a service for making free or low-cost calls via the Internet.
Sony had planned to begin selling the microphones in Japan on Thursday, but said it had delayed the launch and had yet to set a new date.
Rival Nintendo Corp.'s (7974.TO) handheld Nintendo DS system has outsold the PSP based on its broad appeal for uses outside of video games. Sony has been moving to make the PSP more attractive to a wider audience, launching it in colors such as pink and adding features and games that appeal to non-gamers.
-By Jay Alabaster, Dow Jones Newswires; 813-5255-2929; jay.alabaster@ dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires
01-23-080302ET
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